Millington Board of Aldermen candidates talk schools and growth

Board foes cite tapping potential

Creating a municipal school system for Millington, bettering communication between the city and citizens and bringing in businesses are among the top priorities of candidates vying for Positions 1, 3, 5 and 7 on the Millington Board of Aldermen.

Early voting in the Aug. 2 elections continues today through July 28.

Bethany K. Huffman and Rhonda O'Dell are vying for the Position 1 seat currently occupied by Alderman Keith Barger, who is not running. Huffman, 44, said she's for a municipal school system, if the city can afford it and O'Dell, 46, said she's been in favor of a Millington school district "from day one."

Huffman, a certified public accountant who owns a CPA practice in Millington, said that if elected she hopes to work with citizens, business owners and civic organizations to develop a strategic plan for the city. She wants the board to revise ordinances and apply them fairly to ensure "that we are welcoming to businesses and industries that try to relocate to Millington."

O'Dell, a legislative specialist for the Shelby County Commission and former executive assistant and storm water manager for the city of Millington, said she would want to cut expenses in the budget, in part by reducing positions through attrition.

She would also want to better use the city's website as a tool to keep citizens informed and possibly move the board's monthly meeting from the beginning of month to later in the month, to give aldermen more time to study department reports.

"I decided to run because I know that Millington could do better," O'Dell said. "We are nowhere near reaching our full potential."

Frankie Dakin, a 2010 Millington Central High School graduate and Rhodes College political economy major, is challenging incumbent Don Lowry for his Position 3 seat. Dakin, who is for a municipal school system, said he objects to how quickly the current board changed the city's charter earlier this year, without getting enough public input.

"There's a general culture that needs to be changed," said Dakin, 20. "The government has to be more responsive to the people. They have to spread information better to people."

Lowry could not be reached for comment.

Incumbent Brett Morgan, 52, is facing Thomas McGhee, who could not be reached for comment, in a race for his Position 5 seat. Morgan, who was appointed to the board last year, said he brings a "unique prospective" with his years of experience as a city planner.

Morgan, who also supports a municipal school district, said it's important to him to grow the city without losing its "rural roots" and to save the businesses on Navy Road. "Navy Road has always been somewhat a part of the character of Millington and I would hate to lose that character."

The race for the Position 7 alderman seat is a battle of real estate agents Jason Dupree and incumbent Mike Caruthers, who both feel that a municipal school district is something the city should pursue.

In other matters, Dupree, 45, said the current board has been indecisive and that the city could do a better job of being realistic about how to use its assets, including its land, highways, proximity to Memphis and easy access in and out of the city, to grow.

"I do not see a clear direction defined by our leadership," Dupree said.

Caruthers, 65, who was elected to the board in 2008 and is retired from the Army, said while some view the board as being a clique, he has worked to be independent.

He cites opposition to red light cameras in the city and the initial charter change.

"I bring a lot of experience in budgeting and management," Caruthers said.